The Free University of Glastonbury is launched

May 28, 2009

The Festival has launched a literary strand for the first time this year. Called The Free University of Glastonbury it will feature some of the country’s smartest thinkers and most talented authors discussing an extraordinarily eclectic range of subjects from maths to music, nature to non-conformism. The talks will take place every afternoon in the tropical splendour of HMS Sweet Charity in the Park area.

The programme is being run by Mathew Clayton, former publisher of Cassell Illustrated who said, "The Free University will be enlightening and entertaining. A place that celebrates writers but is more than just people reading extracts from their last book. It is about people sharing the ideas, interests and inspirations that lie behind their work".

Friday
12noon University opened by Michael Eavis
1pm Alex Bellos – The Tyranny of Ten
2pm Gavin Pretor-Pinney – On Fire
3pm John Niven – Kill your Friends
4pm Caught by the River